Monday, 20 October 2014

21 October 2014

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Tuesday 21
October2014

Morning
Prayer

Psalms 121, 122 and 123

In these three psalms the themes are the eternal
faithfulness of God and how he cares for us; the joy and gladness we experience
as we enter the house of the Lord with a prayer for safety and peace in
Jerusalem, and finally, a prayer for deliverance from those who ridicule and
oppress us.

Ezra 7: 11 – 28

King Artaxerxes writes a letter to Ezra giving his
specific permission to go to Jerusalem with willing believers. The King gives resources
from the treasury and provinces for the temple. Ezra is to set up magistrates
and judges and administer Jerusalem in line with Gods Laws. Ezra blesses God.

Matthew 15: 21 – 39

Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman, not Jewish, who
calls to him to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. Initially Jesus ignores
her. Then explains he was sent to the Jewish people – he is for them – it would
be like giving their food to dogs. She counters by saying that even dogs are
permitted to eat scraps. Jesus recognises her faith, heals the daughter and understands
that his mission is not only to the Jews but to the entire world.

Great crowds follow him. He heals the sick, lame and
frail. He has compassion for them seeing they have been with him three days
with no food. The disciples have 7 loaves and some fish. Jesus blesses and
breaks the food that is distributed to 4000 people and the uncounted women and
children. Seven baskets of food remain – more than enough scraps.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

Morning BlossomArmadale WA 2014 L Osburn

Compassionate
God of eternal faithfulness and love; you want us to give thanks for all who
provide resources so that we may worship and to any who have faith to seek you
out. Open our hearts. Release our compassion and generosity so that we share
the gifts of your love and the fruits of your Kingdom with everyone we
encounter to your honour, glory and love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday 21 October2014

Evening
Prayer

Psalm 119: 129 – 152

The psalmist declares a passion for the scripture and
the commandments.There is a request to
learn and know them better. There too is recognition that others do not share
this zeal and that leads to persecution. There is a plea to be saved from harm.

Daniel 4: 19 – 27

Daniel with courage and deference interprets the
King’s dream. The tree is the King and his power will be cut. He will be driven
away from human society and will live with wild animals until he recognises
that God alone is sovereign. Daniel requests that the King atone for his sins
and show mercy to the oppressed so that his prosperity may be prolonged.

1 Peter
3: 8 – 16

Peter
asks us to have “a unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender
heart and a humble mind” (v.8). We are to repay evil and abuse with a blessing:
speak no evil or deceit. Instead do good things and pursue peace. We are
unlikely to be harmed for good conduct and even if we are, we are blessed. We
are not to allow ourselves to be intimidated and we are to have no fear. We are
to always be ready to make our defence of what we believe and to do it gently
and with reverence.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Young kangarooArmadale WA 2014 L Osburn

God of
mercy and compassion, you give us the strength and courage to focus on you and
live our lives in ways that honour you. Help us to reflect on the times we have
shown unity of spirit, sympathy, love, tender heartedness, humility, courage
and pursued peace. Help us see that as we did any of these today we can do them
tomorrow and strengthen our capacity to love and serve you all the days of our
lives through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.